A new report from the International Center for Alcohol Policies (ICAP) reveals that the consumption of illicit alcohol is extensive in many countries and contributes significantly to the global burden of disease, ScienceDaily reported Nov. 20.

The report focuses on use of noncommercial alcohol in sub-Saharan Africa, southern Asia, and central and eastern Europe. Noncommercial alcohol –- defined as traditional beverages produced for home consumption or limited local trade, and counterfeit or unregistered products -– accounts for a significant portion of alcohol consumed in the three regions, according to the World Health Organization.

The authors of the report found that official statistics do not reflect a major portion of alcohol produced, sold, and consumed around the world. Ukraine and African countries like Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe exceeded recorded alcohol consumption records with their unrecorded alcohol consumption rates, the study showed. Illicit alcohol dominates the market in Sri Lanka, and noncommercial alcohol makes up almost half of all official sales in Belarus.

The report highlights concern over noncommercial beverages meeting quality standards, stating that while some are well made and safe, many noncommercial beverages may be contaminated and toxic. Noncommercial beverages include nonbeverage alcohols derived from medicinal compounds, which are often used to increase alcohol concentration and are relatively widespread among problem drinkers in the lowest socioeconomic brackets.

"The extensive use of noncommercial alcohol around the world has detrimental and far-reaching effects on consumers, government and the industry," said Marcus Grant, President of ICAP. "In many countries, this largely illicit alcohol has harmful effects on society because of the lack of meaningful controls."

ICAP published Noncommercial Alcohol in Three Regions online Nov. 21, 2008.